Scientists find the Higgs boson

IT TOOK billions of dollars, some of the world's largest and most powerful technology and four years, but scientists using the Large Hadron Collider have done it.

They have found the Higgs boson - a feat to rival the splitting of the atom.

It is a find that will shift how scientists look at space and time, this subatomic particle - or God particle - was proven to exist on Wednesday.

More research will help reveal more about the exact nature of this type of particle - or boson - and what it means for the future of physics.

The Higgs boson is thought to give all other particles their mass, a claim which led to its "God particle" reputation.

Australian Research Centre Professor Geoff Taylor, who heads the Centre for Excellence for Particle Physics said it was an exciting time for physicists.

"This is a milestone for the physics community, and for human understanding of the fundamental laws that govern the universe," he said.

As scientific discoveries go, this is up there with finding a way to split the atom.

People have been working towards this for many years, and Australian groups have been part of this from the beginning so for the best part of 25 years. And to now be part of the reportage is a real privilege."